Lachlan Barker of Kings is seen competing for possession against Nate Jawai of the Taipans during the Round 3 NBL match between Sydney Kings and Cairns Taipans at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Sunday, October 28, 2018. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Basketball

Snakes need to strike when hot

CENTRE Nate Jawai has urged his new teammates to be selfish when they are hot to help stop the Snakes' three-game losing sequence.

The 32-year-old's promising start to the 2018-19 season continued on Sunday, when he contributed 11 points and four rebounds in the loss, as well as completing a solid defensive assignment on fellow former NBA big man Andrew Bogut.

Jawai, one of just three returning Snakes from last season, can see the talent in his squad and believes more consistent play will come when the entire squad is on the same page.

"Everyone is trying to find their place, you know," Jawai said.

"People are getting shots and some guys need to be selfish and know when to take their shots.

"It comes with practice and playing together.

"Every practice, we have the effort, but it is about knowing when different guys are hot and knowing when to attack.

Jerome Randle (left) of Sydney Kings is seen competing for possession against Nate Jawai of the Taipans during the Round 3 NBL match between Sydney Kings and Cairns Taipans at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Sunday, October 28, 2018. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)

"We still need to get Devon Hall going too."

After dropping to 1-3, coach Mike Kelly says he is not anxious about the club's current position on the bottom of the NBL ladder.

Import point guard Melo Trimble leads the NBL with 24.7 points per game and drew praise from Sydney coach Andrew Gaze after the overtime defeat.

"They presented some significant challenges to us. Trimble is a very, very good player," Gaze said.

"We had moments we let slip and they probably let us off the hook in the first half when they missed some wide-open looks."